Wireless communication systems, interfacing devices, communication methods, methods of interfacing with an interrogator, and methods of operating an interrogator

• US RE41,916 E1
• Filed: 07/16/2004
• Issued: 11/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Round Rock Research LLC
• Original Assignee: Round Rock Research LLC
• Inventors: Bates, Benjamin G., Hahn, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Holloway, III; Edwin C
• Application Number:
  US10/893,101
• Time in Patent Office: 2,307 Days
• Field of Search: 340/10.1, 340/572.1, 235/384, 235/381, 235/385, 141/94, 141/98, 141/231, 700/302
• US Class Current: 340/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/145 by wireless communication means, e.g. RF, transponders or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/825 with exchange of information between interrogator and responder
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10198 setting parameters for the interrogator, e.g. programming parameters and operating modes
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/00 Wireless channel access
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/00 Interfaces specially adapted for wireless communication networks

Abstract

The present invention includes wireless communication systems, interfacing devices, communication methods, methods of interfacing with an interrogator, and methods of operating an interrogator. According to one embodiment, a wireless communication system includes a remote communication device; an interrogator configured to output a forward link wireless communication and receive a reply link wireless communication from the remote communication device responsive to the forward link wireless communication; and an interface device configured to interface with the interrogator using a wireless medium, the interrogator being configured to be controlled by the interface device .

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a plurality of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, wherein each of the plurality of RFID tags is affixed to a respective one of a plurality of items and stores a respective identification number associated with the respective one of the plurality of items;

an interrogator capable of operating in a normal first mode and a maintenance second mode, wherein during the first mode the interrogator is configured to wirelessly receive identification numbers from the plurality of RFID tags via a communication technique, and wherein during the second mode the interrogator is configured to wirelessly transmit the identification numbers to a remote communication device, and wherein the interrogator is capable of operating in the first mode without the remote communication device;

and

an interface system comprising the remote communication device located remotely from and coupled to a processing device, wherein the remote communication device comprises wireless communication circuitry coupled to a first processor to wirelessly receive the identification numbers from the interrogator, the processing device being configured to output control signals to the interrogator, and the processing device comprises a second processor to receive and store the identification numbers received from the remote communication device

wireless communication circuitry configured to communicate wireless signals including at least one of outputting data to the interrogator and receiving data from the interrogator; and

a command control coupled with the wireless communication circuitry and being configured to output control signals to control the selection of operation of the interrogator between the normal mode and the maintenance mode .

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein the wireless communication circuitry and command control are implemented within an interface device.

3. The system according to claim 1 further comprising memory coupled with the wireless communication circuitry and configured to store at least one of data to be outputted and received data.

4. The system according to claim 1, the processing device further comprising a display device coupled with the wireless communication circuitry and configured to display data.

5. The system according to claim 1 further comprising an RF power meter configured to monitor the power of wireless communications of the wireless communication circuitry.

6. The system according to claim 5 wherein the interrogator is operable to receive data from the RF power meter and adjust communications responsive to the received data.

23. The system of claim 1, wherein the RFID tags are configured to communicate with the interrogator using backscatter communication.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the RFID tags are configured to communicate with the interrogator using phase shift keying (PSK) modulation.

25. The system of claim 1, wherein the interrogator is located in a generally fixed position, and the plurality of RFID tags generally move in and out of a field of the interrogator.

26. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of RFID tags includes visual identification features and identifying text.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the interrogator is configured to determine information from the RFID tags using light.

28. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication technique is spread spectrum.

29. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote communication device is powered separately from the processing device and is powered using an external power source.

30. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing device is configured to interface with a plurality of remote communication devices via a bi-directional digital data port.

31. The system of claim 1, wherein the interrogator includes memory storing applications corresponding to a plurality of RFID communication methods.

32. The system of claim 1, wherein the interrogator and the remote communication device are configured to communicate at a center frequency of approximately 2.44 GHz.

33. The system of claim 1, wherein the control signals cause the interrogator to respond.

34. The system of claim 1, wherein the control signals enable the interrogator to be remotely operated by the interface system.

7. A wireless communication system comprising:

at least one remote communication device;

an interrogator configured to output a forward link wireless communication and receive a reply link wireless communication from the remote communication device responsive to the forward link wireless communication; and

a maintenance device configured to interface with the interrogator using a wireless medium, the interrogator configured to detect the presence of the maintenance device and output data to the maintenance device responsive to the detection.

8. A communication method comprising:

providing an interrogator and at least one remote communication device;

communicating intermediate the interrogator and the remote communication device;

providing an interface device;

detecting the presence of the interface device using the interrogator;

reading control information from the interface device using the interrogator; and

communicating data between the interrogator and the interface device responsive to the control information.

9. The method according to claim 8 further comprising displaying data using the interface device.

10. The method according to claim 8 further comprising communicating information from the interrogator to the interface device responsive to the detecting.

11. The method according to claim 8 further comprising establishing communications intermediate the interrogator and the interface device responsive to the detecting.

12. The method according to claim 8 further comprising:

monitoring RF power of communications intermediate the interface device and the interrogator; and

adjusting communication power of the interrogator responsive to the monitoring.

13. The method according to claim 8 further comprising storing data corresponding to at least one of the interrogator and the remote communication device using the interrogator.

14. The method according to claim 8 wherein the communicating intermediate the interrogator and interface device comprises communicating using a wireless medium.

15. The method according to claim 8 wherein the communicating with the remote communication device comprises communicating before and after the communicating with the interface device.

16. The method according to claim 8 wherein the communicating data with the interface device comprises reading data regarding the communications of the interrogator and the remote communication device from the interrogator.

17. The method according to claim 8 wherein the communicating data with the interface device comprises writing data configured to control communications with the remote communication devices to the interrogator.

18. The method according to claim 8 wherein the communicatings comprise communicatings using backscatter communications.

19. The method according to claim 8 wherein the communicating data comprises at least one of writing data to the interrogator and reading data from the interrogator.

20. The method according to claim 8 wherein the communicating data comprises reading interrogator status information from the interrogator.

21. The method according to claim 8 wherein the providing the interface device comprises coupling a processing device with a remote communication device.

22. A communication method comprising:

providing an interrogator and at least one remote communication device;

communicating intermediate the interrogator and the remote communication device;

providing an interface device;

detecting the presence of the interface device using the interrogator; and

communicating data intermediate the interrogator and the interface device responsive to the detecting.

35. A communication method comprising:

providing an interrogator, an interface device, and at least one radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, wherein the RFID tag stores an identification number associated with an object or person and wherein the interface device comprises a wireless communication device coupled to a computer via a bidirectional data port, the computer comprising a processing device;

communicating intermediate the interrogator and the RFID tag, wherein the interrogator is capable of determining the identification number stored in the RFID tag without presence of the interface device;

detecting the presence of the interface device using the interrogator;

sending control signals from the processing device to the interrogator;

communicating data intermediate the interrogator and the interface device, following the detecting the presence of the interface device, the communicating of the data comprising wirelessly transmitting the identification number from the interrogator to the interface device; and

storing the identification number on the computer.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the wireless communication device is powered by an external power source separately from the processing device.

37. The method of claim 35, further comprising interfacing between the processing device and a plurality of wireless communication devices.

38. The method of claim 35, further comprising affecting communications between the interrogator and the interface device using the control signals.

39. The method of claim 38, further comprising affecting communications between the interrogator and the RFID tag using the control signals.

40. A system comprising:

at least one radio frequency identification (RFID) tag affixed to an item and storing an identification number associated with the item, wherein the RFID tag includes a single integrated circuit (IC) coupled to a dipole antenna, the single IC comprising a backscatter modulator configured to modulate a reflectivity of the dipole antenna;

an interface system comprising a communication device and a computer, wherein the communication device is coupled to the computer and is configured for wireless communication, and wherein the computer is configured to receive and store information associated with the RFID tag; and

an interrogator configured to determine the identification number by controlling communication with the RFID tag, and comprising a first antenna to communicate with the RFID tag and a second antenna to communicate with the interface system, wherein the computer is configured to send control signals to the interrogator, and the interrogator is capable of determining the identification number absent the communication device.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein the RFID tag is configured to communicate with the interrogator using phase shift keying (PSK) modulation.

42. The system of claim 40, wherein the interrogator is located in a generally fixed position, and the RFID tag moves through a field of the interrogator.

43. The system of claim 40, wherein the interrogator is configured to transmit and receive light to determine information from the RFID tag.

44. The system of claim 40, wherein the interrogator is configured to communicate with the RFID tag using spread spectrum.

45. The system of claim 40, wherein the communication device is located remotely from the computer.

46. The system of claim 45, wherein the interface system comprises a plurality of communication devices located remotely from and coupled to the computer.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein each of the plurality of communication devices is coupled to the computer via a bi-directional digital data port.

48. The system of claim 47, wherein the first and second antennas are used to transmit wireless signals.

49. The system of claim 40, wherein the interrogator includes memory storing a plurality of RFID communication applications.

50. The system of claim 49, wherein the interrogator is configured to receive and store an RFID communication application update from the interface system.

51. The system of claim 40, wherein the RFID tag includes a battery.

52. The system of claim 40, wherein the first and second antennas are used to transmit wireless signals.

53. The system of claim 40, wherein the communication device is powered separately from the computer using an external power source.

54. The system of claim 40, wherein the control signals are to stimulate the interrogator.

55. The system of claim 40, wherein the control signals are to enable the interrogator to communicate data with the interface system.

56. A system comprising:

at least one radio frequency identification (RFID) tag affixed to an item or person and storing an identification number associated with the item or person, wherein the RFID tag includes a dipole antenna and is configured to modulate a reflectivity of the dipole antenna;

an interface system comprising a communication device and a computer comprising a processing device, wherein the communication device is coupled to the computer via a bi-directional digital data port and comprises a processor and wireless communication circuitry; and

an interrogator configured to communicate with the RFID tag to determine the identification number, wherein the interrogator is capable of communicating with the RFID tag without the interface system, wherein the interrogator comprises a first RF transmit port configured to transmit a continuous wave RF signal for the RFID tag to modulate by modulating the reflectivity of the dipole antenna, a second RF transmit port configured to wirelessly transmit data, including the identification number, to the interface system, and a memory, and wherein the processing device is configured to output control signals to the interrogator.

57. The system of claim 56, wherein the interrogator is configured to receive a light signal.

58. The system of claim 57, wherein a plurality of RFID communication applications are stored in the interrogator.

59. The system of claim 57, wherein the interrogator is configured to implement spread spectrum in communication with the RFID tag.

60. The system of claim 59 wherein the spread spectrum is direct sequence.

61. The system of claim 56, wherein the communication device is powered separately from the processing device and is powered using an external power source.

62. The system of claim 56, wherein the processing device is configured to interface with a plurality of communication devices via a bi-directional digital data port.

63. The system of claim 56, wherein the control signals are to allow the interface system to act as a master to control communication operations between the interface system and the interrogator.

64. A method comprising:

providing a plurality of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags and a plurality of items to be tracked in an inventory management process, wherein each of the plurality of RFID tags is affixed to a respective one of the plurality of items and stores a respective identification number associated with the respective one of the plurality of items;

providing an interface system comprising a remote communication device coupled to a computer;

determining the identification numbers stored in the plurality of RFID tags using an interrogator to which the identification numbers are unknown, including sending commands from the interrogator to the plurality of RFID tags and receiving the identification numbers in response to the commands, wherein the interrogator is capable of controlling communication with the plurality of RFID tags in absence of the interface system;

detecting the presence of the remote communication device wirelessly using the interrogator, wherein the computer is configured to output control signals to the interrogator;

wirelessly transmitting the identification numbers from the interrogator to the remote communication device, after detecting presence of the remote communication device; and

receiving and storing the identification numbers using the computer.

65. The method of claim 64, further comprising providing the interrogator in a generally fixed position, and moving the plurality of RFID tags through a field of the interrogator.

66. The method of claim 64, further comprising receiving and interpreting a light signal at the interrogator.

67. The method of claim 66, wherein the interface system comprises a plurality of remote communication devices coupled to the computer via a bi-directional digital data port.

68. The method of claim 67, further comprising communicating between the computer and the remote communication device via the bi-directional digital data port.

69. The method of claim 68, wherein sending commands from the interrogator to the plurality of RFID tags comprises using a first antenna, and wirelessly transmitting the identification numbers from the interrogator to the remote communication device comprises using a second antenna.

70. The method of claim 69, wherein sending commands from the interrogator to the plurality of RFID tags comprises the use of spread spectrum communication.

71. The method of claim 70, wherein determining the identification numbers stored in the plurality of RFID tags comprises using one of a plurality of RFID communication applications stored in a memory of the interrogator.

72. The method of claim 64, wherein determining the identification numbers stored in the plurality of RFID tags comprises using one of a plurality of communication applications stored in a memory of the interrogator, and further comprising the interrogator receiving and storing a software code update from the interface system.

73. The method of claim 64, wherein sending commands from the interrogator to the plurality of RFID tags comprises the use of spread spectrum communication.

74. The method of claim 64, further comprising powering the remote communication device separately from the computer using an external power source.

75. The method of claim 64, further comprising a user of the interface system selecting the control signals.

76. A method for managing inventory, comprising:

sending a command via a first RF transmitter port of an interrogator to a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag followed by a continuous wave RF signal, comprising the use of a communication technique;

transmitting an identification number from the RFID tag to the interrogator, including modulating a reflection of the continuous wave RF signal by modulating a reflectivity of a dipole antenna of the RFID tag;

detecting a presence of a remote communication device wirelessly using the interrogator, wherein the interrogator is capable of communicating with the RFID tag without the remote communication device;

transmitting the identification number via a second RF transmitter port of the interrogator to the remote communication device, after detecting presence of the remote communication device;

sending the identification number from the remote communication device to a processing device coupled to the remote communication device via a bi-directional digital data port, wherein the processing device is configured to output control signals to the interrogator; and

storing the identification number using the processing device.

77. The method of claim 76, further comprising communicating information between the interrogator and the RFID tag using a light signal.

78. The method of claim 77, wherein detecting the presence of the remote communication device further comprises wirelessly transmitting an identification signal from the remote communication device to the interrogator, the identification signal identifying the remote communication device.

79. The method of claim 78, wherein sending the command is performed in accordance with one of a plurality of RFID communication applications stored in a memory of the interrogator.

80. The method of claim 76, wherein sending the command is performed in accordance with one of a plurality of RFID communication applications stored in a memory of the interrogator.

81. The system of claim 76, wherein the communication technique includes spread spectrum.

82. The method of claim 76, wherein the remote communication device is powered separately from the processing device and is powered using an external power source.

83. The method of claim 76, wherein the processing device is configured to interface with a plurality of remote communication devices.

84. The method of claim 76, wherein the control signals are sent to affect communications between the interrogator and the RFID tag.

85. The method of claim 76, wherein the control signals are sent to affect communications between the interrogator and the remote communication device.